Radio State 810 WHB in Kansas City, citing multiple sources close to the negotiations, reported that the league was considering two scenarios – one that included Notre Dame and one in case the Fighting Irish opted to remain independent.

“We are a proud member of the BIG EAST Conference,’’ Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti said in a statement. “It is not our place to speculate on any reports on the expansion plans of any other conference.”

Expansion will be the dominating issue in college athletics over the next few months. The Big Ten, comprised of 11 schools, announced several months ago that it was exploring expansion. Prior to that announcement the league launched its own television network.

Rutgers recently expanded its football stadium to 52,454, more than needed for its Big East schedule but less than half the capacity of behemoths such as Michigan’s Big House or Ohio Stadium.

The Big Ten, through its television contracts, splits about $242 million among 11 schools. The eight Big East football-playing schools share $33 million.

If the Big Ten gets Notre Dame, it would add the nation’s marquee independent program to one of the nation’s marquee leagues. Rutgers would provide the Big Ten a TV presence in the New York market and a natural Eastern rival and travel partner for Penn State.

Adding Missouri and Nebraska would deal a crippling blow to the Big 12 and give the Big Ten the Kansas City and St. Louis TV markets, in addition to Nebraska’s storied football program.